Gang Gang Dance have shared “J-TREE,” the second single from their long-awaited album Kazuashita, out on out June 22nd via 4AD.
A stirring and euphoric paean to nature, co-founder Brian DeGraw says, “J-TREE has always been about open space to me. When I started writing the skeleton of the song I imagined it would only ever be played live in an outdoor setting. That was the goal: to create a song that was a sonic dialogue between ourselves and the majesty of wide open space in nature.”
At the core of “J-TREE” is Shiyé Bidziil, one of the key members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, speaking out against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through sacred Native American burial lands. “The Shiyé sample captures a point in time that is not only a historical moment in the struggle of humankind within a state of heightened political chaos, but also a reminder that Nature is not passive,” DeGraw comments. “This sacred open space possesses its own active consciousness and when we are spiritually aligned with its frequency a very direct alliance occurs. The stampede of buffalo was a reaction from the higher powers of Nature in response to the cries of a people who were fighting to maintain that spiritual alliance. Standing Rock was essentially a standoff between beings who believe that money is God versus beings who believe that Nature is God. I think Shiyé’s moment was an example of the natural world confirming that the latter is much closer to the truth.”
Listen to “J-TREE” below:
The band have also announced they will be performing in Japan in October. The shows, in Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo, are part of a special run of dates with Deerhunter. Ahead of full touring later in 2018, the band will perform on the day of Kazuashita’s release (June 22) at Brooklyn’s Elsewhere.
GANG GANG DANCE LIVE
June 22 – Elsewhere Brooklyn NY (RECORD RELEASE SHOW) w/ Deakin
Oct 23 – OSAKA w/ Deerhunter
Oct 24 – NAGOYA w/ Deerhunter
Oct 25 – TOKYO w/ Deerhunter